Cavs, Razorbacks set for battle

OMAHA, Neb. – Having assumed the role as a rookie at Virginia, Tyler Cannon did not do a double take when he saw his name penciled in the lead-off spot in the lineup card Monday.

As the Cavaliers prepared to stave off elimination at the College World Series, the junior returned to the top spot, one that has typically been given to sophomore Jarrett Parker.

Magically, it worked — Cannon set the table, drawing two walks and singled home a run as Virginia won 7-5 against Cal State Fullerton.

With the win, fifth-ranked Virginia (49-14-1) advanced to face Arkansas (40-23) tonight at 7 p.m. at Rosenblatt Stadium.

Cannon may find himself penciled in the first spot in the batting order again against Arkansas starting pitcher Drew Smyly (3-1, 4.72 ERA), the expected option against Virginia rookie LHP Danny Hultzen (9-1, 2.33 ERA).

“It was not a big deal,” Cannon said. “I guess since I got three hits in the first game against LSU, coach [Brian] O’Connor decided to switch things up.

“We had to get something going. He thought I was the guy. I trust whatever coach O’Connor thinks he should do.”

Given the stage, the move seemed to baffle Fullerton coach Dave Serrano. It was not something coaches typically do once reaching the College World Series.

O’Connor is not your typical coach. Numbers are just numbers in his eyes. Gut feelings take on a greater role.

“I just knew that it would help us win the game,” the skipper said. “Cannon has done it before and was not in awe by the move. Parker is a big reason why we are here but I needed to take some pressure off of him. He will snap out of it. I am confident.”

Oddly enough, Cannon was batting in the contest from the left side of the plate.

That would not have happed in his first two years at Virginia. He was, in fact, solely a right-handed hitter upon arrival in Charlottesville.

“Switch-hitting is always a whole lot better than just hitting right-handed,” said Cannon, who tinkered with both sides of the plate in 2007 during fall practice. “I was having trouble with the right-handed sliders last year so I made the switch. That was definitely my Achilles’ heel last year.

“Batting left-handed, I don’t see that. I thought I would give it a try and it is working so far.”

Using both sides of the plate and hitting to all fields this year, Cannon is batting .348 with 19 doubles and has scored 53 runs.

It has not been pretty throughout, however.

“It has had its ups and down,” the Tennessee native admitted. “There was a point during the season where I was 0 for 15 from the left side. It has had its ups and downs and hopefully I can stay consistent with it. I want to get even better.”

That will likely come next year in a Virginia uniform. Cannon has two options, having been drafted by the 41st round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“I am coming back,” Cannon said. “I was actually surprised that I was even drafted because scouts knew that I really wanted to come back.”

Omaha reinforced that demand.

“Nothing compares to this,” he said. “This has been amazing. We want to stay as long as possible.”